What makes a coronary plaque vulnerable to rupture?

A collaborative research team from Imperial College, St Mary’s and the Brompton
Hospital has developed novel modelling techniques that can be used to map local
haemodynamic stresses in the circulation. Interest is now focused on the more
challenging setting of the coronary arteries.

Dr Ryo Torii is using this state-of-the-art technology to develop a combined in vivo
imaging and computational technique for use as a predictive diagnostic tool for identifying
plaques (the build-up of hardened fatty material in the arteries) that are vulnerable to rupture.

‘Identifying those patients at risk will allow us to use interventions
(such as coronary artery stents) to prevent plaque rupture and heart attack.’